Track day essentials

[wrecker]

I'm going on two track days over the next couple of weeks and am thinking about doing quite a few (5 - 10) next year as well.

So, for those who have done their fair share of trackdays already, I assume there are a few things that become essential as you gain more experience.

I can't afford a seperate trackday bike yet, so would be using my road bike for some time to come.

Currently, I rely on my road bike as I use it to commute to work every day. I'm sensible enough to realise that if I do enough trackdays that my bike will get flung down the tarmac eventually, so I'd really like to do as much as I can to minimise the damage.

I guess it would be wise to invest in a new set of race fairings to stop mine getting battered if the bike goes down. Does anyone have any good contacts for these and are they expensive?

I've got R&G protectors on the engine and DHM rear bobbins, but have not got the front spindle protectors yet. Hopefully these would stop the worst of the damage.

I'll be fitting my new Titax shorty levers when they come through, so that should reduce the chance of my levers breaking off.

I guess some tyre warmers (mentioned on another recent thread) seem a good idea to try and ensure my tyres are warm and grippy before going out on the track, hopefully minimising the risk of tyre slip. Am I right that you can often hire these on the day from the organisers?

Are there any other 'essentials' to try and ensure my bike comes away relatively unscathed should the worst happen?

[littleblue]

tyre warmers are not normally available to hire. can be bought new for under £100 for decent ones. you will need paddock stands as well, plus take spare levers/footpegs etc.

race products for your bodywork, good and decent price. get the woven cloth fibreglass ones, as they are stronger.

get some engine case savers or NRC covers/carbon covers to save your engine cases.

the best thing to help you stop crashing is to spend money on instruction to improve your riding, rather than tuning your bike. being smoother and in control will mean your safer and less likely to crash.

if budget allows, get some wets on wheels for when it rains....

[axeman]

It's worth putting some fork protectors on and the protectors that pass through your rear spindle as the ones that screw onto the bobbin mounts often snap the mount. Andyman bought a crescent race fairing, it was pricy at about £450 but is all drilled including r&g holes and fits perfect. Alot of peeps buy damaged tanks to fit as well.

[OGM]

What Blue said.

But I think that anyone who ride thier road bike on track needs thier bumps felt.

Especially if its the only form of transport. By the time you have bought all the stuff to make yours at least partly trackable, you could have picked up a cheap track bike all done ready to go. SRADs and earlier ZXR's are cheap now and if you get a decent one will give you loads of fun.

[axeman]

What Blue said.

But I think that anyone who ride thier road bike on track needs thier bumps felt.

Especially if its the only form of transport. By the time you have bought all the stuff to make yours at least partly trackable, you could have picked up a cheap track bike all done ready to go. SRADs and earlier ZXR's are cheap now and if you get a decent one will give you loads of fun.

You keep away from my bumps...
Must admit it always plays on my mind before a trackday but once I get out there I forget about it. If I do destroy it though I'm bikeless for a couple of years. If I had some spare dough I'd get a track bike but hey ho.

[factorypilot]

BALLS....PATIENCE.....COMMONSENSE.....SENSE OF HUMOUR....AND A WIDE FACE TO ACCOMODATE SMILE...:G1:

[tommytello]

I bought secondhand road fairing of ebay, took a month or two looking though, but at least with road fairing you are ride to the track if you haven't got a trailer, cost about £140 in all and got a tank for £80.

Get spare pegs and tape to cover speedo and headlight.

Tyre warmers are good if your going a few times but your tyres will warm after two or three laps.

You can get track insurance but it is expensive.

Exhaust protector

But just make sure to drink a lot of water and when you get tired call it a day even if theres a lot of the day left, I was tired and now I have been of work for 2 months in pain.

As sad before you will make the main difference, look after yourself, oh and get a back protector and make sure all the padding in your suit has had no knocks. You can replace them easily on Knox's website.

[GixxerDan]

i find a fold up camping chair is worth it if you can fit one onto your bike.

[tommytello]

i find a fold up camping chair is worth it if you can fit one onto your bike.

+1

and of course tools and a pump, though you can normally use a pump at the track.

Fill up with Petrol,

[Raverbiker]

You keep away from my bumps...
Must admit it always plays on my mind before a trackday but once I get out there I forget about it. If I do destroy it though I'm bikeless for a couple of years. If I had some spare dough I'd get a track bike but hey ho.

Exactly my thoughts :)..tried the trackbike route(cheaper/older bike).. and wished i,d taken my thou round :)..watch the red mist and enjoy :)
:ws: RAVER:ws:

[Clanktank]

Get spare pegs and tape to cover speedo and headlight.



Whatever you do please disconnect your headlight bulbs at the back, as tape over the headlight will cause overheating and melt your headlight lens (you can't swich the headlight off so the only safe method is disconnection).
The amount of headlights on eBay with melted lenses is unbeleivable. :rolleyes:

[Dirty Sanchez]

seriously.......................

[WizzBang]

Stuff usually found in the boot of my car at a trackday are as follows

Paddock Stands
Tyre warmers
Good selection on tools (sockets, spanner, screwdrivers, etc)
Cable ties
Tape (gaffa, electrical)
Fold up chair
Water
Lucozade
Choccy bars
Pump
Quality tyre pressure gauge
Wets on wheels
Rags


In the car i will also have

Bike key
License
Warm clothes
More water
Painkillers (paracetamol, brofen)
Visor cleaner and clear visor



To be honest, I havent really used the tools a lot trackside, but they were there when I did need them following a small off last year.